Roney Charged With Violating Rules in Animal Neglect Case

A 92nd District Court hearing was scheduled at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, for Larry Roney of Rexton, who allegedly violated his probation after pleading no contest to animal neglect charges in February. He was arraigned on the probation charges April 18.

Mr. Roney, 69, is being charged with not having his animals inspected by a veterinarian monthly and for having one too many animals on his property. Both are stipulations he agreed to in his probation hearing February 26.

Mr. Roney was allowed to keep 29 animals, and has allegedly picked up another horse, Mackinac County Prosecuting Attorney Fred Feleppa said.

In January, 10 horses, six goats, five llamas, four donkeys, two chickens, and two pigs were forfeited to Mackinac County Animal Control, which seized most of the animals at Mr. Roney's farm after Animal Control Officer Wendy Frosland obtained a warrant based on poor living conditions for the animals.

Mr. Roney is on probation for a year, during which time he must provide a sanitary living environment for the animals, maintain their vaccinations and licenses, and allow health examinations each month at his own expense.